Poetic Culture

Poetic Culture What is Poetic Culture? Muslimah athletes who are passionate about sport and physical activity. The p

We are looking for Muslimah athletes who are passionate about sport and physical activity to participate in an upcoming photography project. The purpose of this project, led by sports photographer , is to amplify the stories of Muslim women who are engaged in sport, health and/or fitness fields. This can include Muslimahs engaging at a recreational or competitive level - as well as thos

e who are retired. Despite Muslim women being engaged in many different forms of physical activity, we recognize that the representation (if present at all) is extremely narrow and limited. We aim to show the diversity that exists within our community and help change the narrative about Muslim women in sports. If you would be interested in participating (a short interview and photography session that would be posted on social media), then please reach out to .culture on Instagram or by email at [email protected]

09/14/2021

Meet Roya Sarwary, a BJJ athlete who has been training under Professor Fernando at . She has been training for the last 12+ years and competed around the world.

See link in bio for full interview with Roya and Professor Fernando.

(2/2)“From the beginning, I faced challenges not only within my own culture and family. It wasn't easy training in a dis...
07/28/2021

(2/2)

“From the beginning, I faced challenges not only within my own culture and family. It wasn't easy training in a discipline where the ratio of men to women was always greater and being a smaller framed female, it felt that there was even more to overcome. Somehow, I found a way. I used my size and inherent "deficits" to my advantage, finding a way to use these attributes to hone my training and technique.

Through BJJ, I learned how to fight, how to face just one opponent staring down at me and to end up intertwined on the ground. It is unique to learn of your own strength and to use strategy to build my self-confidence. In jiujitsu, it is less about the size of your opponent than how you use technique versus brute force and to learn to control yourself in the process. I trained hard in the art because I wished to master my own internal feels, calm my nerves, and strategize, learning to be a few steps ahead. BJJ is like chess, you have to realize the consequences for each action and have to anticipate your own mistakes, always think a few steps ahead.

Competing became another part of my evolution as a person and as a practitioner of BJJ. I realized that the things that the outside world may look at as things to overcome; my size, my culture, my struggles were really my superpower and in channeling this I realized that I could earn the highest honor, the black belt if I continued to trust and believe in myself.

Today I am working towards opening my own dojo and teaching kids & adults (co-ed and female only) in Brazilian Jujitsu. I want to share with others the gifts and strengths, physically and mentally that BJJ has given to me."

(1/2)“My name is Roya Sarwary and I am a female black belt in Brazilian Jujitsu, currently training under Professor Fern...
07/28/2021

(1/2)

“My name is Roya Sarwary and I am a female black belt in Brazilian Jujitsu, currently training under Professor Fernando Zulick aka "Gr**go" at Action Reaction in Toronto, Ontario. For over 12 years, I have trained and practiced in this art and have competed in Canada, the US, Abu Dhabi & Colombia. I am also proud to have competed for team Canada.

I remember my first day like yesterday, walking into the dojo with the intention of learning a more traditional martial art like Karate or Tae Kwon Do. Martial arts have always appealed to me, I was drawn to them from when I was younger but due to cultural restrictions, I wasn't allowed. Women in my culture were not encouraged to participate in sports that involved close contact with others, especially men not related to me, in situations traditionally women were not present. Somehow, I managed to convince my parents to allow me to train, I still cannot believe that I convinced them and the particular convincing argument I cannot recall. Perhaps it was the passion for martial arts they saw in my eyes and pleading, perhaps it was a desire within them to forge a new path for me. It is a testament to my courage and tenacity to have even tried. To go where I wasn't supposed to go, to devote time to an activity that held little in the way of my "value" as a future marriageable wife and mother. I didn't think that I would fall in love with Brazilian Jiujitsu, but I did. What I found was my happy place, this was my therapy. The practice allowed me to feel like I belonged, a place where I could leave my mark behind. I felt fortunate to find a place in this crazy world where I could make a difference.”

Eid al Adha Mubarak from us to you and yours
07/20/2021

Eid al Adha Mubarak from us to you and yours

Thank you for your continued support for this project. Stay tuned for some new and exciting stories coming.
07/12/2021

Thank you for your continued support for this project. Stay tuned for some new and exciting stories coming.

Part 3“Women-only gyms are incredibly good for the body, but also the soul. They create safe space for a lot of women to...
06/10/2021

Part 3

“Women-only gyms are incredibly good for the body, but also the soul. They create safe space for a lot of women to work out, share, and grow. While I know not all women need an environment like this when working out, in my experience they often create supportive spaces.

Start somewhere, start anymore. Go for a walk. Dance in your living room. Pick up litter! You just need to start. I used to teach a dance fitness class a few years back and I used to tell the participants even if you march in place for the full hour, you’re moving, and that counts. Don’t worry about what others will think. I think I disliked phys ed growing up because I was never ‘good’ at the activities. But you don’t have to be good in the world of amateur fitness. You just need to move!

My father is my role model in many ways, including in the world of fitness. An athlete all his life, he used to box in India and Pakistan, played tennis for his college team in Providence, Rhode Island, and continued this practice in Canada enjoying cricket, basketball, squash, swimming, and other various activities. As for Muslim female influencers, Olympic champion Ibtihaj Mohammed stands out so. She fights for her career every day. What an inspiration to Muslims -- not just females -- everywhere.

Fitness is about the journey, not the destination. My goal is to continue to grow in the world of physical fitness, while inspiring others, particularly Muslim women. Feeling strong and healthy is for everyone!”

Sameena Sultana

Part 2“As someone who jumped into the world of physical fitness in their late 20s, this could be considered a late start...
06/08/2021

Part 2

“As someone who jumped into the world of physical fitness in their late 20s, this could be considered a late start. I had to get outside my comfort zone, and push my limits, and I’m so glad I did. I am fortunate to be part of a diverse community therefore challenges were few. That being said, I haven’t met many Muslim female instructors but would love to.

It’s intimidating to get involved in activities where the participants don’t reflect your own lived experience. Where the experts don’t look like you. I know that people are often surprised when they learn that I teach a strength training class and if I’m being honest, that’s part of the reason I continue to do this. Because I want other Muslim women to know they can too.

We’re seeing more and more Muslim women take centre-stage in sports, both at the elite and amateur level. Not to mention that many Muslim women have been athletes and physically active for years but often don’t get the attention they deserve. In the 1940s my maternal grandmother played Netball for her college team in Hyderabad. We had trailblazers but we often don’t shine a light on their stories.

I think there are many ways to be physically active, but like I mentioned before, we need to tell the stories of those who did it before to help others rise. I like to think this is changing.”

Sameena Sultana

Part 1“I’m passionate about fitness and wellness. In 2012 I became a certified fitness instructor and teach Les Mills Bo...
06/07/2021

Part 1

“I’m passionate about fitness and wellness. In 2012 I became a certified fitness instructor and teach Les Mills Bodypump and Soul BodyBarre at Goodlife Fitness. I use the mantra that I don’t ‘have’ to work out, I ‘get’ to. This mindset shifts perspective from fitness being a chore, to something I genuinely appreciate and enjoy.

With gyms closed, I need to be even more intentional with building regular activity into my day. I’ve done this by teaching fitness classes via Zoom for my family and friends, and I try to exercise regularly with my four-year-old daughter, most often yoga and dancing. As the weather grows warmer, walking in the sunshine (while picking up litter to keep our communities clean and green!) has been a priority. As a child, phys ed and organized team sports were never my thing. Then I discovered the world of fitness via the local gym. While the treadmill still didn’t entice me, the classes were addictive. Once I took Bodypump, I was hooked. I wondered if I loved attending the class, maybe I’d love teaching it as well.

I’m fortunate to have a family that rallies around my passions. While I wouldn’t mind if they attended a *few* more classes. I appreciate that they always have my back and are proud of my accomplishments in this space. I love the universal nature of physical fitness, and teaching classes in Scarborough ensures that a diverse group of fitness enthusiasts at various levels of expertise are in the crowd. We support each other, and lift each other up, which creates an inclusive environment. While teaching can sometimes be nerve-wracking, I love the feeling of bringing my passion to others, and in turn, creating healthier communities.”

Sameena Sultana

"A person who overcomes any barrier and has a voice to share their story, creates a default responsibility to lift other...
06/01/2021

"A person who overcomes any barrier and has a voice to share their story, creates a default responsibility to lift others."

(3/3)“While I do not think there are societal barriers, I think that the biggest hurdle for Muslim girls who come from i...
06/01/2021

(3/3)

“While I do not think there are societal barriers, I think that the biggest hurdle for Muslim girls who come from immigrant families is convincing their parents that sports are important. This was my experience when I was growing up. I played sports on school teams when I was younger, however I was not part of any regional teams outside of school. This was not an option for me as my family was not very keen on the idea of sports being an important part of a child’s development. I think this is what deters a lot of ethnic minority families from enrolling their children in sports today. Although I was born in Canada, my parents did not see sports as necessary or important. Many families who immigrate to western countries are fearful of their children adopting social norms that are different from their own upbringing and in turn, end up robbing their children of a well-developed future when it comes to sports.

In my opinion, I don’t believe the representation is as narrow as the question is worded, as there are many female athletes that are coming out in the frameworks. Muslim Female Fighters on Instagram is filled with budding female athletes that are killing the combat sports scene. I think that the majority of young people have given their attention to the wrong “Influencers” on social media. How many Muslim “Influencers” are there in the makeup/fashion/beauty scene? How many followers do they have? They rank in the tens of thousands to the millions. Now compare this to the Muslim female fighters on social media and how many followers do they typically have? There is a huge difference. This begs the question, where are people’s priorities? I think if women want to be taken seriously in the world of sports, then they need to rethink who they are spending their time on, and what they are doing to achieve the goals they want to achieve in fitness and sports. After they can sincerely reflect on these questions, get out there and do the work. Don’t wait for a women’s only class at your mosque. Just get out there and do your best.”

Zenab Awan

@ Calgary, Alberta

(2/3)“I don’t feel that I stand out as a Muslim on the mats. I used to feel this way, but as I developed my game in BJJ,...
05/30/2021

(2/3)

“I don’t feel that I stand out as a Muslim on the mats. I used to feel this way, but as I developed my game in BJJ, and as my business grew, I realized that as Muslim women, we tend to feel sorry for ourselves and expect a lot from others. We tend to expect people to recognize that we are the “exception” to the rule. When I enter a space where someone doesn’t look like me, it only drives me to do my best. If they notice, then great! If not, then it’s not a big deal, as I am there for me, my intentions, and my own needs. I am not here to impress anyone.

I don’t feel as though there are barriers for Muslims to play sports at all. As a child born in the 80s, when I reflect on my life, I feel as though it is much easier for visible Muslims today to be welcomed in sports. Although there were many Hijab wearing women in my circle growing up in the 90s who excelled in sports on their school teams, many of whom were on the starting line ups on the Varsity teams. I don’t feel as though there are societal barriers. I think this rhetoric is problematic as there is so much attention that we ourselves put on it. If you want to do something, JUST DO IT. I think we as Muslims need to stop talking about there being barriers and need to just step inside and do the work. Don’t wait for a women’s only class. Don’t wait for someone to run a program in the local mosque. If you want to do something, just get out there and do it. Allah SWT created us to emulate the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who was the BEST of humankind. Allah SWT wants us to be the best. He WANTS the best for us. We are selling ourselves short when we don’t try to break down those invisible barriers ourselves.”

Zenab Awan

@ Calgary, Alberta

(1/3)“My name is Zenab, and my husband and I are the proud owners of Affinity Academy of Martial Arts Inc. We are a Braz...
05/29/2021

(1/3)

“My name is Zenab, and my husband and I are the proud owners of Affinity Academy of Martial Arts Inc. We are a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) academy in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Currently, I am the rank of purple belt and have been training BJJ since 2013. I train BJJ with my family and also run a women’s only program.

Since I am a business owner, my life revolves around BJJ. I literally live, breathe, and sleep BJJ. My relationship with BJJ differs from most athletes, as most people walk into their academy and focus on their own training and go home to their lives. For me, as a business owner I walk into my academy with my manager hat on, making sure the business is where it’s supposed to be, making sure members are getting the service they are paying for. During my training, I am cognizant of members getting the best value, and after training, I go home and reflect on how I can make the BJJ experience better for our members. As a mother of two, the biggest obstacles that I’ve faced in my BJJ journey was balancing my responsibilities between my kids and my duty as a business owner. I have learned over the years to get help when I need it. I’ve hired staff and now I am able to rely on them so I can focus on my mental health and my family.

Growing up, I never knew what BJJ was. I never knew that there were other branches of martial arts, as in my mind, martial arts were either Karate or Tae Kwon Do. When I met my husband, he introduced me to the world of martial arts, and I was intrigued when I learned about the various forms of martial arts. BJJ is a ground fighting sport which is performed without punch, kicking, or striking of any kind. I was more keen on learning it because it was created for the smaller person to defend against larger opponents.”

Zenab Awan

@ Calgary, Alberta

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Toronto, ON

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